Some of the nation’s finest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entertainers are bringing their comedy, poetry, music and dance to Frankson.
Download the media release
SOME of the nation’s finest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entertainers are bringing their comedy, poetry, music and dance to Frankston.
Blak Cabaret artists will perform at Cube 37, Frankston Arts Centre at 7.30pm on November 15. The experienced performers have been selected not only for their talent, but also their commitment in shaping Australia’s cultural identity.
In the lead-up to the performance, two Blak Cabaret artists will hold FREE community workshops at Cube 37, Frankston Arts Centre, on Saturday, October 25. Former So You Think You Can Dance hip hop dancer Nikki Ashby will teach hip hop dance from 11am to 1pm and legendary singer/songwriter Kutcha Edwards will hold a community songwriting workshop from 2pm to 4pm.
Malthouse Theatre engagement officer and Blak Cabaret producer Jason Tamiru said both artists were experts in their craft.
"Kutcha Edwards is a proud Mutti Mutti Aboriginal man who sings for his family and people,," Mr Tamiru said. “He is an experienced music workshop facilitator who gets results, He uses music as a medium to tell the stories of today and yesterday. Nikki Ashby is a hip hop specialist and movement teacher - an outstanding professional dancer.”
Mr Tamiru describes the Blak Cabaret show as funny, moving, heart-warming and very entertaining.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people come from an oral history and Blak Cabaret plays to that strength," Mr Tamiru said.
"Blak Cabaret’s established performers have been entertaining audiences for more than 30 years, creating contemporary songlines throughout the country. Our emerging performers are continuing the story, forging their own footprints."
The Frankston Arts Centre show will be MC’d by actor and director Kylie Belling, whose extensive work across theatre, film and television includes feature film The Sapphires (2012) and television series Redfern Now (2013).
Kutcha Edwards and Nikki Ashby will perform alongside some of Australia’s best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers - musicians Bart Willoughby and Deline Briscoe, variety act Black Elvis, gum-leaf player Uncle Herb Patten, comedian Shiralee Hood and spoken-word poet Den the Fish.
VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said Blak Cabaret, which is funded under VicHealth’s Arts about Us program, takes audiences on a heart-warming journey into our nation’s soul.
"Since its debut in 2012, Blak Cabaret has toured Victoria to entertain and move audiences in regional areas. It’s fantastic to see it on the road once more for this special performance in Frankston,” Ms Rechter said.
“Blak Cabaret is more than top class entertainment from Australia’s finest Aboriginal performers. It’s a funny and moving commentary about where we come from, who we are, and most importantly, a celebration of the richness and diversity of all Victorians."
Blak Caberet performance and community workshops are presented by Malthouse Theatre and the Frankston Arts Centre, with support from VicHealth and Artistic Merit.
